Dear Editor,
This is an open letter to the artiste known as Chronixx.
Chronixx, have you ever visited Rome? On Saturday, October 18, the Catholic Youth Movement of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston hosted Jamaica Day, where everything Jamaican was celebrated by the youths of the six deaneries.
Deanery 4, of which I am member, won the competition and so I was in a great mood driving home. That mood was quickly changed when I heard the lyrics of a very catchy and well-produced reggae song, by you, Sir. It started with: "Ah love I an' I preaching, so every land of hate will burn," but then started to chant that "Today Rome will burn!" In what I assume to be an attempt not to implicate any specific place, the lyricist stated "When I say Rome it nuh geographic..." But then immediately goes on to say "Dem a ask how a little African, ah go burn down di whole ah inna Vatican?" Then the chorus repeated "Listen to the voice of di people, today Rome will burn!"
Now I appreciate that Jamaica is a land of contradictions, where free speech is celebrated but accountability is subjective. So, it does not surprise me that two Muslim leaders are refused entry into Jamaica, while our radio stations play songs which could incite attacks on one religious group.
Some may say I am an alarmist, and that I am taking the song too literally, but look at Boko Haram and ISIS and you can see that my concern is valid.
So Chronixx, before you burn down Rome, please pay the country a visit so that you will be fully cognisant of what you are igniting. In the event that you are not able to make such a visit, maybe a visit to Jamaican Roman-related organisations such as Brothers of the Poor, Mustard Seed Communities, Alpha Boys' Home, and all the Roman Catholic schools might make you change your mind about destroying Rome -- unless, of course, you and your religion are ready and willing to take over and continue or better the work that Rome has germinated.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," Jesus Christ said in the Gospel of St Luke, chapter 6, verse 31.
Andrea Wray
St Catherine
Before you 'bun dung Rome', Chronixx
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This is an open letter to the artiste known as Chronixx.
Chronixx, have you ever visited Rome? On Saturday, October 18, the Catholic Youth Movement of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston hosted Jamaica Day, where everything Jamaican was celebrated by the youths of the six deaneries.
Deanery 4, of which I am member, won the competition and so I was in a great mood driving home. That mood was quickly changed when I heard the lyrics of a very catchy and well-produced reggae song, by you, Sir. It started with: "Ah love I an' I preaching, so every land of hate will burn," but then started to chant that "Today Rome will burn!" In what I assume to be an attempt not to implicate any specific place, the lyricist stated "When I say Rome it nuh geographic..." But then immediately goes on to say "Dem a ask how a little African, ah go burn down di whole ah inna Vatican?" Then the chorus repeated "Listen to the voice of di people, today Rome will burn!"
Now I appreciate that Jamaica is a land of contradictions, where free speech is celebrated but accountability is subjective. So, it does not surprise me that two Muslim leaders are refused entry into Jamaica, while our radio stations play songs which could incite attacks on one religious group.
Some may say I am an alarmist, and that I am taking the song too literally, but look at Boko Haram and ISIS and you can see that my concern is valid.
So Chronixx, before you burn down Rome, please pay the country a visit so that you will be fully cognisant of what you are igniting. In the event that you are not able to make such a visit, maybe a visit to Jamaican Roman-related organisations such as Brothers of the Poor, Mustard Seed Communities, Alpha Boys' Home, and all the Roman Catholic schools might make you change your mind about destroying Rome -- unless, of course, you and your religion are ready and willing to take over and continue or better the work that Rome has germinated.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you," Jesus Christ said in the Gospel of St Luke, chapter 6, verse 31.
Andrea Wray
St Catherine
Before you 'bun dung Rome', Chronixx
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